Newsletter 1 February 13 2006

Welcome students and their families to the academic year of 2006. Congratulations to 2005 students. UAIS ranged from 99.9, and 98.1, through to a large number of students gaining band 6 results and thus realizing their dreams!

The results were a heart-warming experience. Many students were able to get the marks they wanted. One student chose, (among other offers) a 7-year honours scholarship to ANU to complete a combined law/arts degree.

Many students not only put in a huge effort but also worked strategically and utilised trouble-shooting tactics to overcome hurdles with English. Top marks were achieved through hard work and pure determination, not genius.

English Mastery welcomes continuing students from 2005, Summer School Students who have elected to continue their tuition plus new students beginning with the advent of the 2006 academic year.

A program is tailor made for each student. All Year 12 texts (there are now more than 80 available for selection) Advanced and Standard English are read and textual analysis is undertaken. Board of Studies syllabus requirements are closely monitored.

Previous work covered and work to be undertaken with the student in the following lesson is kept in an individual folder for each student. Respect for each individual and their family’s privacy and confidentiality is maintained. My background as a School Counsellor as well as an English teacher is brought into play.

English Mastery undertakes a three-pronged role that schools may not always be able to manage, particularly with regard the HSC:

1) It stays task focussed and “cuts to the chase” in terms of identifying exactly what is needed to improve performance.

2) Assessment tasks are given attention and priority.

3) Exam preparation is given highest priority.

In order to sustain quality results and service limits are placed on student intake. There are currently no vacancies for new enrolments and there is a waiting list for places.

Students are expected to attend all tuition sessions and times for make up lessons are rare. Normal lesson fees will apply unless 48 hours notice is given.

Year 12 can be the most important year of students’ academic lives. It does not need to be an angst-ridden experience nor is there benefit in making it bigger than it really is. Certainly a consistent self-disciplined approach embraces the most valuable gains. However it is also important to possess a healthy respect for recreational needs. Neither over indulgence in the latter nor obsessional or punishing work habits will assist in achieving goals.

English Mastery also offers study skills sessions including time management for those students who choose to find direction with their work, relieve stress and improve marks.

I trust parents are able to appreciate the enormous amount of time that is involved in preparing year 11 and 12 students for their English exams.

English Mastery takes pride in offering the highest calibre English tuition and teaching service available on the North Shore and stands by its proven track record of outstanding exam results. It hopes to remain an icon of excellence in English for many years to come.

Regards

Jon Hardy

B.A.; B.ED; Post Grad Psychology

Member of English Teacher’s Association; Fellowship of Australian Writers; Australian Tutoring Association (Burwood)

54 McIntyre Street
Gordon 2072
0402 825 824

54 McIntyre StreetGordon 20720402 825 824